early diagnosis – Oral Cancer News

‘How I knew I had throat cancer’: Four survivors share their symptoms

Source: www.mdanderson.org Author: Cynthia Demarco For high school football coach Mark Teague, the only symptom of throat cancer he noticed was a small lump beneath his jaw. “I’d been aware of it for a while,” says Teague, who was diagnosed with HPV-related throat cancer at age 49. “But I’d had sinus problems all my life, so I didn’t think anything of it. I just assumed it was another swollen lymph node.” George Brownfield had a similar experience. “I found a little lump on my neck one day while shaving,” says the senior systems analyst, who was diagnosed with the same disease at age 48. “I remember thinking, ‘Hey, why does that side of my neck look so puffy?’ and going to my general practitioner. He told me it was probably an infection and prescribed some antibiotics.” The most common throat cancer symptoms: painless neck lumps and swollen lymph nodes Mark and George’s experiences are not unusual. Most people with throat cancer don’t have any symptoms. But when they do, a swollen lymph node or a painless lump in the neck are among the most common. Why? “Lymph nodes are essentially tiny little sieves that capture dangerous particles circulating around our bodies,” explains head and neck cancer surgeon Miriam Lango, M.D. “Sometimes, cancer cells get caught in there and start growing in place. Eventually, they form tumors that can get big enough to grow out of the lymph nodes.” Other throat cancer symptoms, including (rarely) pain Other MD Anderson patients have [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2023-06-22T09:16:15-07:00June, 2023|Oral Cancer News|

Men in doubt still don’t get checked out!

Source: www.easier.com Author: staff Men are almost twice as likely to die from mouth cancer and statistics consistently show they are less likely to consult with a doctor than their female counterparts. But with rates of incidence and mortality rising at an incredible rate, men can no longer afford to ignore the increasing threat of a killer disease. Mouth cancer cases in the UK have almost doubled in the last decade, rising to 6,000 every year with almost 4,000 of those coming from men and although there are some clear early warning signs many postpone seeking professional advice, leaving fatality rates of the disease at 50 per cent. This is supported by data from the Office of National Statistics, which reveals that women are twice as likely to see their GP as men, visiting the doctors an average of six times a year compared to just three for men. Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter, puts this failing down to a lack of general cancer health knowledge in men and warns that ignoring the issue can lead to severe problems in future. Dr Carter said: "For almost all types of cancer, men will die more often than women. There's no biological reason that this should be the case so the reason must be purely down to the timing of diagnosis. Unfortunately, when men do go to their GP their condition may be at a far more advanced stage and therefore much more difficult to treat. [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2011-11-27T14:52:41-07:00November, 2011|Oral Cancer News|

Accuracy of Dentists in the Clinical Diagnosis of Oral Lesions

Source: Quintessence Publishing Objective: Dentists play an important role in the early diagnosis and treatment of oral lesions. However, treatment based solely on a clinical impression of the diagnosis, without histologic confirmation, can result in serious consequences, particularly when the lesion is precancerous or cancerous. The purpose of this study was to determine the overall accuracy of clinical diagnoses made by dentists as well as to compare the diagnostic ability of general practitioners with members of various dental specialties. Method and Materials: The biopsy reports of 976 specimens submitted to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, between January 2009 and January 2010 were reviewed. The presumptive clinical diagnosis made by the practitioner and the final histologic diagnosis on each specimen were recorded in addition to whether the submitting dentist was a general practitioner or a specialist. Results: Of the clinical diagnoses made by the submitting dentists, 43% were incorrect. General dentists misdiagnosed 45.9%, oral and maxillofacial surgeons 42.8%, endodontists 42.2%, and periodontists 41.2% of the time. The most commonly missed clinical diagnoses were hyperkeratosis (16%), focal inflammatory fibrous hyperplasia (10%), fibroma (8%), periapical granuloma (7%), and radicular cyst (6%). Cancerous lesions were misdiagnosed 5.6% of the time. Conclusions: The high rates of clinical misdiagnosis by dental practitioners indicate that all excised lesions should to be submitted for histologic diagnosis. (Quintessence Int 2011;42:575–577) This news story was resourced by the Oral Cancer Foundation, and vetted for appropriateness and accuracy.

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2011-08-03T09:46:18-07:00August, 2011|Oral Cancer News|

Nation backs HPV vaccination for boys

Source: www.dentalhealth.org.uk Author: press release An overwhelming majority of people in the UK have indicated that they want the vaccination for the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) to include boys and not just girls. In a survey carried out by the British Dental Health Foundation as part of November’s Mouth Cancer Action Month, nine out of every ten people want to see the vaccination introduced for secondary school boys. A vaccination programme for girls aged 12 to 13 has been in place in the UK since 2008, handing out over four million doses of the jab, but now the UK’s leading oral health charity says it is time for a change. Chief Executive of the Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter, says cases of HPV in men are growing at an alarming rate and that more must be done to prevent any future outbreak. Dr Carter said: “HPV is such growing concern – much of the 42 percent rise in incidence of mouth cancer over the last 10 years is down to HPV and whilst vaccination of young girls will help, in order to be truly effective we will need to consider vaccination of boys as well. “It is about time we took action to prevent this hidden killer, which is beginning to affect more and more young people. Expert studies suggest HPV is set to become the leading cause of mouth cancer alongside smoking and alcohol, so let us be proactive and plan against this threat. “The government wisely acted on the [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2010-11-28T20:32:33-07:00November, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

Practical strategy for oral cancer management in dental practices published in UK

Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com Author: staff The British Dental Association (BDA) has published a practical guide to help dental professionals combat the growing problem of oral cancer. It reiterates the importance of the early detection of the condition, stressing the improved chances of patient survival in cases where early diagnosis takes place. The proportion of patients with oral cancer who die is higher than for cervical, breast or prostate cancers, the guide points out. It also warns that some patients are beginning to take legal action against dentists alleging failure to detect the condition. The BDA guide, Early detection and prevention of oral cancer: a management strategy for dental practice, offers practical advice on preventing, detecting and managing oral cancer. It addresses both the clinical aspects of the condition and the management of relationships with patients. It explains the risk factors for the disease, provides guidance on talking to patients about examinations and offers tips on medical history taking and record keeping. It also explores taboos around the practitioner's right to explore patients' lifestyle choices that can cause oral cancer, such as drinking, smoking and chewing tobacco, and offers advice on how to overcome them. Professor Damien Walmsley, the BDA's Scientific Adviser, said: "The magnitude of the problem of oral cancer in the UK is growing. While the treatment of many cancers is leading to an improvement in survival rates, the same cannot be said for oral cancer. Early detection is absolutely vital to addressing this situation. "General dental practitioners and their [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2010-11-14T08:22:50-07:00November, 2010|Oral Cancer News|

Awareness of cancer risk low among many ethnic minorities

Source: info.cancerresearchuk.org Author: staff A survey has revealed that many ethnic minority groups have a low awareness of the signs and symptoms of various forms of cancer, even though some groups have a higher risk of certain types of cancer than others. Published to launch Ethnic Minority Cancer Awareness Week (July 6th to 12th), the figures show that at least 46 per cent of ethnic minorities are unsure of the signs and symptoms of the various forms of cancer, or of how to reduce their cancer risk. This finding comes in spite of the fact that 61 per cent of respondents have had a family member with cancer. It has long been known that some ethnic minority groups face a heightened risk of certain forms of cancer. For instance, African Caribbean men are three times more likely to develop prostate cancer than white men, while south Asian and Chinese people face a higher-than-average risk of mouth cancer. Jennifer Layburn, who chairs an alliance of cancer charities, said: "Cancer awareness is important for everyone. "However as these figures show, there is a need to reach ethnic minority communities with targeted awareness messages to increase the levels of awareness and early diagnosis to help reduce the inequalities that exist in survival and mortality figures." When asked about NHS screening programmes, 78 per cent of ethnic minority women were aware of breast screening. However, figures show that 45 per cent of black women have never attended a breast screen, 76 per cent of [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2009-07-15T04:17:40-07:00July, 2009|Oral Cancer News|

Queens County dentists to screen for oral cancer at Mets game

Source: ReadMedia Newswire (readme.readmedia.com) Author: press release Dentists from the Queens County Dental Society (QCDS) will be offering free, two-minute oral cancer screenings at Shea Stadium before and during the Mets game on Tuesday, September 9, 2008. Screening stations will be set up on all levels of the stadium and will offer health care information as well as a drawing for free prizes, including a David Wright Mets jersey for those who are screened. "Screenings for oral cancer are quick, painless and can save lives," says Dr. Stuart Kesner, chairman of the event. "Early diagnosis is the key to surviving this disease," adds Dr, Kesner who notes that oral cancer currently kills more than 7,000 Americans each year and, if caught early, can be prevented. He thanks the Mets organization for the opportunity to partner with them in bringing this public health service to the team's fans. In recognition of the event, Dr. Kesner and Dr. Viren Jhaveri, President of QCDS, will be presented with a "Spirit Award" from the New York Mets prior to the game. Dr. Mark Feldman, President of the American Dental Association, Dr. Stephen Gold, President of the New York State Dental Association and the Honorable Jose Peralta, New York State Assemblyman, will be in attendance during the award ceremony. The Queens County Dental Society is a not-for-profit chapter of the American Dental Association, comprised of more than 1,000 members dedicated to promoting good oral health and oral cancer awareness throughout the community. This event is [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2008-09-03T18:49:46-07:00September, 2008|Oral Cancer News|

Hopkins Doctor Urges Early Diagnosis To Avoid Cancer’s “Forgotten Killer”

Source: Medical, Health News and Articles (03530.com/2008/08/25) Author: staff On average, two Marylanders each day are diagnosed with potentially fatal oral cancers that are often curable if identified and treated early. The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Office of Oral Health reports that the state ranks in the country’s top 10 for number of deaths caused by oral cancers. Nationally, statistics show that the death rate from these cancers is higher than those of cervical cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, testicular cancer, and thyroid and malignant melanoma. A sore in the mouth that doesn’t heal could be a warning sign of oral cancer, which kills more than 8,000 people a year. Of the 34,000 Americans newly diagnosed with oral cancer annually, only half will be alive in five years. According to the American Dental Association, early diagnosis and treatment could boost that rate to 75 or 80 percent. John O’Brien, 70, who had not smoked a cigarette in 33 years, was adamant about maintaining proper oral hygiene. But, in 2007, O’Brien, a national sales manager for an advertising agency, father of four and a grandfather of five, found a small lump that turned out to be a cancerous tumor at the base of his tongue. After 45 radiation treatments and six chemotherapy sessions, O’Brien says he is grateful to be alive. “I was just in disbelief. Nobody wants to hear that they have cancer,” says O’Brien. “But, for me I was lucky because the doctors caught it quickly.” “Often, oral [...]

Oral Cancer Foundation News Team - A2008-07-27T19:25:52-07:00July, 2008|Oral Cancer News|